A few minutes is all it takes to sign up to become a bone marrow donor to potentially save a child’s life. Our reporter TOMOS POVEY is among those to have taken part in a swab session. He writes:

A FEW months ago, I reported on an event which saw hundreds of people sign up to become bone marrow donors.

This was to help six-year-old Marley Nicholls, who is battling a rare blood condition called aplastic anaemia. And in that time, Marley still has not found a donor.

And later this month the South Wales Argus is holding its own event to try to find that elusive match for Marley.

South Wales Argus:

The process really is painless and so easy.

When I arrived in Newport for a swab session, I was seen without delay by an official who asked me to fill in a straightforward form which required some details on myself - including height and weight. This was followed by a swab which took 30 seconds to complete. I then saw another charity worker, who checked my filled-in form.

My swab was then sealed in an envelope. The whole process was completed in four minutes.

There is a common misconception that to sign up to the donor register is time-consuming.

This is nonsense. Why not turn up to our event. You could be saving a boy’s life.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm at the Riverside Suite in Newport Centre on Saturday April 20.

There is no need to register beforehand.

Just turn up on the day.